Cancer research fund available for pilot projects

The University of Florida Office of Research, the UF College of Medicine and the Moffitt Cancer Center have created a $4 million research fund to finance collaborative pilot research projects at the two institutions.

The monies will foster initiatives that will further researchers' scientific endeavors while helping them prepare for the development of a consortium-style National Cancer Institute-designated Cancer Center. Each project proposal will include at least one scientist from both UF and Moffitt. The approach is designed to support rich interactions in basic science, population science, clinical investigations and translational research.

"These are not individually going to be very large grants, but they are meant to kick-start joint projects, the goal being to either lead to publications or grant applications prior to the resubmission of the cancer center grant from the NCI that Moffitt and now UF will be a part of," said Dr. Joseph V. Simone, director of the UF Shands Cancer Center and physician-in-chief of cancer services for Shands at UF medical center.

Each grant will be for up to $100,000 for a maximum of a year, with the possibility of renewal depending on scientific progress made and the availability of funds. Grants will be awarded on a competitive basis, and proposals must contain a clear cancer focus and have a high potential to be clinically relevant.

UF, Shands HealthCare and Moffitt announced in January they are working together to develop world-class programs in cancer care, research and prevention.

Applications should be submitted before Oct. 1 for review in October in the categories of basic research, population science, or clinical, translational and experimental therapeutics. For more information, call Janice Taylor at 352-273-8010 or e-mail janicet@ufl.edu.